Antalya, “This must be Heaven”
These were the words uttered by a soldier when the king of Pergamon gave the order to find heaven on earth. Today, Antalya is an international tourism complex surrounded by ancient ruins.
We don’t know why the 1st century Pergamon king, Átalo II, ordered his men to find heaven on earth. But it is clear that after much searching, the soldiers determined that, if it existed at all, it must be that place south of Antalya: a stone cliff with pristine Mediterranean beaches and bordered by the Taurus mountains. The king named it Attaleia (with time changed to Adalia and then to the present-day Antalya) and made it the base for his imposing naval fleet.
After the death of Átalo III it passed into the hands of the Roman Empire. It was a major city of the Byzantine Empire, mainly because of its location away from the rest of the empire and until the expulsion of the Turks returned the access roads to the Gulf, could only be reached by sea. The Seljuk Turks returned to conquer the city in the 13th century, so it is no surprise that the area is littered with archaeological sites that even today (although some are in ruins) have much to tell of the city’s Greek, Roman, Seljuk and Ottoman history. Nowadays, Antalya is one of the most visited places in the summer, not just by Turks but by tourists from around the world.
Just a one-hour flight from Istanbul are the most beautiful beaches imaginable, with their turquoise waters and white sands. Legend has it that Marc Antony chose this spot to honeymoon with Cleopatra. Much later, Atatürk (the revered founder of present day Turkey) described it as the “most beautiful place in the world.” Choose an all-inclusive hotel on a beach like Lara or Konyaaltı and you won’t have to worry about anything except what your next cocktail will be.
But since you can’t see everything from your sun lounger, take the time to visit the Old Town to see some living history. Inside the city you’ll find Hadrian’s Gate, built to commemorate the Emperor's visit in the year AD130. Also worth seeing is the Clock Tower that forms part of the old wall and is in Karaalioglu plaza. The Hidirlik Tower, a 2nd century lighthouse, is another must-see, while the Kesik Minaret Mosque is one of the oldest buildings in the city and has seen a succession of Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman cultures. And then, of course, dominating the skyline there's the 45-metre, striated red brick minaret of the Yivli Minareli Mosque. It is a symbol of the city and all that remains of the old Byzantine church (the adjacent mosque came later).
Alternatively, simply stroll through the narrow streets of the Kaleiçi neighbourhood and, if you want a condensed history in just one place, visit the Antalya Archaeological Museum. On the outskirts you’ll also find natural wonders like the Bey Daglari National Park and Düzlerçami Park, a reserve for two species in danger of extinction in Turkey: the wild deer and the Iberian ibex. Other, man-made wonders include the Aspendos Theatre, a perfectly preserved Roman amphitheatre that hosts concerts, festivals and theatre.
Antalya is one of those places where you can relax on the beach while delving into the history of the ancient empires that fought for this region, as beautiful as it is strategic. If this isn't really heaven on earth, then it's certainly very close indeed.
After the death of Átalo III it passed into the hands of the Roman Empire. It was a major city of the Byzantine Empire, mainly because of its location away from the rest of the empire and until the expulsion of the Turks returned the access roads to the Gulf, could only be reached by sea. The Seljuk Turks returned to conquer the city in the 13th century, so it is no surprise that the area is littered with archaeological sites that even today (although some are in ruins) have much to tell of the city’s Greek, Roman, Seljuk and Ottoman history. Nowadays, Antalya is one of the most visited places in the summer, not just by Turks but by tourists from around the world.
Just a one-hour flight from Istanbul are the most beautiful beaches imaginable, with their turquoise waters and white sands. Legend has it that Marc Antony chose this spot to honeymoon with Cleopatra. Much later, Atatürk (the revered founder of present day Turkey) described it as the “most beautiful place in the world.” Choose an all-inclusive hotel on a beach like Lara or Konyaaltı and you won’t have to worry about anything except what your next cocktail will be.
But since you can’t see everything from your sun lounger, take the time to visit the Old Town to see some living history. Inside the city you’ll find Hadrian’s Gate, built to commemorate the Emperor's visit in the year AD130. Also worth seeing is the Clock Tower that forms part of the old wall and is in Karaalioglu plaza. The Hidirlik Tower, a 2nd century lighthouse, is another must-see, while the Kesik Minaret Mosque is one of the oldest buildings in the city and has seen a succession of Roman, Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman cultures. And then, of course, dominating the skyline there's the 45-metre, striated red brick minaret of the Yivli Minareli Mosque. It is a symbol of the city and all that remains of the old Byzantine church (the adjacent mosque came later).
Alternatively, simply stroll through the narrow streets of the Kaleiçi neighbourhood and, if you want a condensed history in just one place, visit the Antalya Archaeological Museum. On the outskirts you’ll also find natural wonders like the Bey Daglari National Park and Düzlerçami Park, a reserve for two species in danger of extinction in Turkey: the wild deer and the Iberian ibex. Other, man-made wonders include the Aspendos Theatre, a perfectly preserved Roman amphitheatre that hosts concerts, festivals and theatre.
Antalya is one of those places where you can relax on the beach while delving into the history of the ancient empires that fought for this region, as beautiful as it is strategic. If this isn't really heaven on earth, then it's certainly very close indeed.
Düden Waterfalls: cascades of water straight into the sea
The Düden Waterfalls (from the river of the same name) are an interesting group of falls divided into two. The upper falls, about 14 kilometres inland, fall into a small lake surrounded by vegetation. The lower and more attractive falls cascade from a rocky platform directly into the Mediterranean.Turkish Coast: the Turkish Riviera
Antalya lies on the Turkish coast, popularly known as the Turkish Riviera with 1,000 kilometres of coastline stretching between the Mediterranean and Aegean seas. Through places like Izmir, Muğla, Aydın and Mersin you can discover archaeological sites, among them two of the Seven Wonders of the World: the Temple of Artemis and the ruins of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus.Top 5 Hotels
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